Ralston Peak

Ralston Peak is a mountain in the Sierra Nevada mountain range to the west of Lake Tahoe within the Desolation Wilderness in El Dorado County, California. Ralston Peak is a very popular mountain to summit for the views of the wilderness area as it lies very near U.S. Route 50. The closest trailhead to the summit can be found in Camp Sacramento a few miles west of Echo Summit. Ralston Peak can also be accessed from the Pacific Crest Trail between Echo Lake and Lake Aloha. Starting at the nearest trailhead (Echo Lake), this route is significantly longer than the trail from Camp Sacramento. But the altitude gain on this route is much less, and the trail is much less steep.

Ralston Peak
Highest point
Elevation9,239 ft (2,816 m) NAVD 88[1]
Prominence1,075 ft (328 m)[1]
ListingTahoe OGUL Mountaineer Peak[2]
Coordinates38°49′59″N 120°06′06″W[3]
Geography
Ralston Peak is located in California
Ralston Peak
Ralston Peak
Location in California
Ralston Peak is located in the United States
Ralston Peak
Ralston Peak
Ralston Peak (the United States)
LocationEl Dorado County, California, U.S.
Parent rangeSierra Nevada
Topo mapUSGS Echo Lake
Climbing
Easiest routeHike, class 1[2]

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification system, Ralston Peak is located in an alpine climate zone.[4] Most weather fronts originate in the Pacific Ocean and travel east toward the Sierra Nevada mountains. As fronts approach, they are forced upward by the peaks (orographic lift), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the range.

  • Tamarack Lake with Ralston Peak in background
    Tamarack Lake with Ralston Peak in background
  • View of Lake Aloha from Ralston Peak
    View of Lake Aloha from Ralston Peak

References
  1. "Ralston Peak, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
  2. "Tahoe OGUL Peaks List". Retrieved 2021-11-07.
  3. "Ralston Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
  4. "Climate of the Sierra Nevada". Encyclopædia Britannica.


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